IG
Startrader
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Overview
IG was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in UK, while Startrader was established in 2011 and is based in Hong Kong. Both brokers are regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), among other authorities. IG serves 178,500+ clients worldwide; Startrader has 500,000 +. The minimum deposit is $200 at IG and $50 at Startrader.
| Feature | IG | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $50 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Saint Vincent and Grenadines (SVG) and Financial Services Authority Seychelles (FSA) |
| Founded | 1974 | 2011 |
| Country | UK | Hong Kong |
| Clients | 178,500+ | 500,000 + |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between IG and Startrader, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. IG has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $200 (vs $50 at Startrader). Startrader charges withdrawal fees while IG does not, giving IG an edge for frequent withdrawers. Overall, Startrader scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | IG | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $50 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | No | Yes |
Platforms
IG offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Startrader supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. IG offers a mobile trading app; mobile availability for Startrader is limited. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. IG edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | IG | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | No |
| Android App | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, Mac, Web Trader, L2 Dealer, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, MT5 and Web Trader |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how IG and Startrader compare. Both brokers run regular live webinars. Both provide video tutorials, including advanced content. Daily market commentary is available from both brokers. Both integrate third-party research tools including Trading Central. Archived webinars are available at both brokers for self-paced learning. Startrader scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | IG | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | No | Yes |
| CFD Education | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. IG accepts 3 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal), while Startrader supports 4 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, Skrill, Neteller). IG uniquely supports PayPal among the two brokers. Startrader uniquely supports Skrill and Neteller among the two brokers. Startrader scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | IG | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | Yes | No |
| Skrill | No | Yes |
| Neteller | No | Yes |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both IG and Startrader offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. IG supports 5 languages and Startrader supports 2, giving IG broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | IG | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese | English, Chinese |